North West SMEs hailed in latest listing of top performing independents

Former BBC 'Dragon' Jenny Campbell

Seven North West firms have made a list of Britain’s fastest-growing, founder-led private companies.

They have been revealed in the inaugural FEBE Growth 100 list, in a bid to celebrate true entrepreneurship, champion some of the UK’s most impressive founders and inspire the next generation of business leaders.

The FEBE (For Entrepreneurs By Entrepreneurs) Growth 100 is co-founded by Charlotte Quince and John Maffioli who wished to recognise founders across the country in the wake of the COVID pandemic which, they say, posed unprecedented economic and emotional challenges for founders across the country.

Former BBC Dragons’ Den panellists Jenny Campbell and Sarah Willingham are also involved in the move to celebrate UK entrepreneurs. FEBE Growth 100 businesses must be UK registered, independent, unquoted, and an ultimate parent company, meeting the following criteria:

  • Sales between £3m and £200m
  • Trading for at least three years
  • An operating profit in the latest financial year
  • Founder(s) must still be involved

The ultimate ranking of 100 was data-driven, with companies ranked by compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in sales over the past two financial years.
Businesses were initially selected by either nominating themselves or through organisations contacting them directly, as well as by accessing publicly available financial information.

Making up the top 10 companies in the 2022 list are: Clear Junction, Passenger Clothing, Tripledot Studios, The Skinny Food Co, Microdot, Lounge Underwear, Sunamp, Bold Security Group, Lucy Locket Loves, and Glencar Construction.

The North West firms making the inaugural 100 listing are:

  • ClearCycle – data-driven stock liquidation and re-commerce solution – Wigan, Greater Manchester
  • MTX – construction solutions – Wilmslow
  • ACE Money Transfer – financial services – Manchester
  • Kammac – warehousing, logistics and supply chain management – Skelmersdale
  • Total Processing – payments services – Manchester
  • Edge Worldwide Logistics – logistics services – Salford
  • Sapphire Utility Solutions – water, wastewater and gas utilities maintenance – Bolton

In addition to the main list of 100, FEBE’s Watch List sits alongside the Growth 100 to celebrate incredible businesses that don’t yet meet the minimum criteria, but are on a mission, achieving great things and deserve to be celebrated. Companies that made the Watch List this year include: Biscuiteers, Dear Frances, Dock & Bay, Elvie, Crewe-based fragrance-led home and lifestyle brand Fabulosa, Lick, LoveRaw, LS Productions, Magic Light Pictures and Meatless Farm.

Charlotte Quince said: “Our vision is to create something unlike anything else out there. We are building the greatest entrepreneurial celebration on Earth and a club that everyone wants to be part of and the Growth 100 is an integral part of that.

“So many people think that business founders just ‘get lucky’ or think of an idea one day and are successful the next. But we know that the journey to success is anything but smooth.

“The Growth 100 will celebrate those who have embraced the entrepreneurial roller coaster and who are now thriving as some of the fastest growing brands in the country.”

FEBE Growth 100 ambassador, Jenny Campbell, said: “I’m very proud to be part of something that celebrates and supports the very best British entrepreneurs and their companies. Founders are unique – their experiences, their vision and their resilience are unlike anything else. So, we want to celebrate these ‘dare to doers’ and shine a light on the incredible accomplishments of some of the finest and fastest-growing companies in the country.”

Close